Franchise leader in games played and assists will undergo wrist surgery; Markstrom era in net begins tonight

SUNRISE — A grim-faced Panthers General Manager Dale Tallon met with the media before morning skate to go down a laundry list of injury updates, but he saved the shocking news for last when he announced that top-line center Stephen Weiss is facing season-ending wrist surgery.

However, on the same day it was learned that Weiss, the all-time franchise leader in games played and assists, and sidelined starting goalie Jose Theodore - both impending free agents - may have played their last game for the Panthers, the Jacob Markstrom era in net officially began Tuesday evening against the Winnipeg Jets.

Markstrom, 23, who has been pegged the Panthers goalie of the future since the 6-foot-6 Swede was drafted 31st overall in 2008, will begin his reign perhaps a season earlier than intended because Theodore,36, tore his groin in the opening minutes of Saturday's loss to the Hurricanes and is out for 5-6 weeks.

"You'd have to say yes," Tallon agreed. "We've got a lot of confidence in the young man and he's got a lot of confidence in his abilities. He's big and strong. We were hoping to hold off a little bit, but let's go. Let's see if he can do it, and I'm very confident that he can."

The Panthers lead the NHL in goals allowed (81) and goals allowed per game (3.68). Theodore had a 3.29 goals-against-average, while backup Scott Clemmensen, who's signed through 2013-14, is 2-3-2 with a career-worst 4.15 GAA.

Dineen isn't ready to admit the full-time job is Markstrom's, who's 0-2 this season with a 3.05 GAA, despite earning Third-Star honors in both losses to Pittsburgh and Boston.

"He's a kid on his way up," Dineen said. "Obviously, with two goalies right now it gives us the option that Jacob is going to get a good body of work here and be able to get away from and not talk about potential and get to the real deal. I have a strong belief in him."

Markstrom, who has spent parts of three seasons in the AHL after excelling in the Swedish elite leagues, is eager to prove he belongs in the NHL.

"I've been feeling like I'm ready a long time,'' Markstrom said. "Obviously, I've been wanting to be here for three years and I've been working hard and here is the opportunity.''

"Markstrom, first of all, can win a game by himself," Jets coach Claude Noel said. "I've seen him play. He can make the difference in the game right away. Right away, he becomes the equalizer."

Weiss, 29, repeatedly denied that his subpar play (four points in 17 games with a league-worst minus-13 rating) had anything to do with injuries, but Tomas Kopecky admitted that his teammates were aware that their alternate captain could hardly grip the stick.

"We knew even from the beginning of the year that he always had that problem,'' Kopecky said. "It's tough on him and it's tough on us as a team. He was our leader, he always sets an example.

"It's a big hole to fill.''

Weiss, who has notched four 20-plus goal seasons, was benched in the third period of a recent loss to Boston, and later that day learned his grandmother had died. Weiss first injured his wrist in the 2005-06 season, when he had just 21 points in 41 games.

Injury updates; Rheault debut

Defensemen Dmitry Kulikov and Mike Weaver are out for 3-4 weeks and 4-5 weeks respectively. Defenseman Ed Jovanovski (knee), who has played five games, is out for another 10-14 days.

Forward Scottie Upshall is out for another week to 10 days, while forward Kris Versteeg (chest) may play on Friday against the Jets.

The Panthers called up forward Jon Rheault from San Antonio and he will be the fifth Panther to make his NHL debut this season, along with Drew Shore, Michael Caruso, Quinton Howden and Jonathan Huberdeau. …

Nine players in the lineup Thursday were either rookies or played at least one game in the AHL this season.

"Give me 18 players and I'm ready to go,'' Dineen said. "To me it's a non-factor. You can't worry about the uncontrollables until guys are back.''